Tuesday is one of New York's primary days; this one is for selection of candidates for federal office.

THE STAKES:

State lawmakers must adopt the many meaningful proposals to remove obstacles and improve voter turnout in all elections.

---

New York doesn't make it easy for citizens to exercise their right to vote.

Tuesday is primary day across New York for federal offices. In some districts, including two that include parts of the Capital Region, candidates are being chosen for the U.S. congressional election in November. A registered voter who is also an enrolled Democrat, and who lives in the 21st or the 19th congressional districts, may go to the polls Tuesday between noon and 9 p.m. to select the candidate who will represent the party on the November general election ballot.

The only exception would be for those who knew they would be unavailable or unable to get to the polls on primary day for one of the few reasons deemed acceptable under state election laws. These voters need to have postmarked an absentee ballot application by June 19 or picked one up in person by Monday. Note: Child-care commitments, a long workday or a lack of transportation don't qualify you for an absentee ballot.

Already enrolled, but want to change your party affiliation and vote Democrat? Sorry, you'd have needed to formally change your party affiliation by last Oct. 13. No wonder that turnout for primaries is so low.

The outcomes in both the 19th and 21st districts could be key in determining whether the Republican Party keeps its majority in the House of Representatives in November. Several Democratic candidates have been waging a spirited race to go against incumbent Republicans Elise Stefanik of Willsboro in the 21st District and John Faso of Kinderhook in the 19th District.

Since 1980, voter turnout in New York state has been trending downward, according to the United States Election Project, which ranked New York 14th lowest in turnout in 2016, when 56.8 percent of the state's voters came out to choose the next president. Primary turnouts are far worse; often as few as 20 percent of those eligible participate.

It's not as if there haven't been plenty of remedies proposed, which if adopted would undoubtedly increase turnout. These include allowing early voting over multiple days; letting any eligible voter cast a ballot by mail; improving poll accessibility for people with disabilities; being able to register up to and including on Election Day; and automatically enrolling eligible citizens on their 18th birthday. Consolidating and simplifying primaries would help too. In September, Democrats will again go to the polls to select their party's gubernatorial and attorney general candidates.

As they have been in the past, these ideas were again set aside during the lackluster legislative session that ended last week. The Republicans who control the state Senate evidently fear that they will be at a disadvantage if more people take part in the elections process and have consistently stalled any changes.

Citizens must demand passage of laws that would make it easier for New Yorkers to participate in elections. Democracy is strengthened when people exercise their right to vote, so the Democrats in the 21st and the 19th congressional districts should get out and do their part to keep our nation strong.